SPECIAL REPORT: Linux kernel 2.6 arrives in embedded -- Vastly improved real-time capabilities in Linux kernel 2.6 are expected to hasten Linux's adoption in real-time computing. This LinuxDevices.com "Special Report" tracks the adoption of the 2.6-series kernel, currently in beta testing, by embedded Linux distributors. Story
Linux 2.6: A Breakthrough for Embedded Systems -- Linux 2.6 introduces many new features that make it an excellent operating system for embedded computing. Among these new features are enhanced real-time performance, easier porting to new computers, support for large memory models, support for microcontrollers, and an improved I/O system. This whitepaper describes the new functions and features of the latest Linux kernel of special interest to embedded system developers. Story
Linux powers Intel "personal server" concept prototype -- Intel Labs is prototyping a potentially revolutionary new "personal server" that runs on embedded Linux. The tiny device -- smaller than a PDA -- comprises a hard disk, BlueTooth, a Web-DAV enabled HTTP daemon, and other technologies enabling the user to access and modify their files from any enabled PC within their "Personal Area Network." This article by Intel principal engineer and senior researcher Roy Want provides background on the personal server concept, explains how the device will enable a truly mobile experience, discusses the basic technologies involved, and provides an architectural block diagram of the prototype. Story
Quorum group whiteboard collaboration tool -- Quorum Tools Ltd has shipped its first product, an elegant electronic group whiteboard for collaboration based on embedded Linux. Powered by a mini-ITX system with five graphics tablets attached via USB, the Quorum attaches to a projector to enable group drawing and visual collaboration. Documents can be "printed" to the Quorum, then annotated and saved for redistribution. Our "Device Profile" offers lots of juicy technical details. Story
Retraining for Embedded Linux Development -- This article introduces a free online course in embedded Linux that author Richard A. Sevenich hopes could someday save students buying a textbook, enabling them to buy an inexpensive device instead and thereby gain hands-on embedded programming experience. Story
New book: "Hacking the TiVo" -- This book delves into one of embedded Linux's biggest commercial successes: the TiVo personal video recorder. In this article about his book, von Hagen describes the communities of enterprising TiVo users that have sprung up, bringing new functionality to the device through hardware upgrades and leveraging the powerful flexibility of the device's underlying Linux OS. Obviously a great fan of the TiVo, von Hagen likens his book to the guidebooks for customizing classic cars, repairing televisions, or other how-to guides to hardware modification. Despite the word "hacking" in the title, von Hagen assures readers that nothing illegal is described or recommended in the book. Story
CCTV system has Linux inside -- BraddaHead will show-case its new digital CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) security system at two upcoming security conferences in the U.S. In addition to Linux, the system makes use of the royalty-free JPEG2000 standard. Story
Review of Sharp Zaurus SL-C750 -- BargainPDA has published an extensive review of an Anglicized version of Sharp's Zaurus SL-C750, a clamshell PDA running Embedix on the PXA255 CPU. The review includes numerous photos of, and screenshots from, the device. Story
Report: Connected PDAs to outnumber traditional PDAs by 2006 -- A new report from analyst firm ABI predicts that the overall PDA market will grow to $10 billion by 2008, with a major portion derived from Connected PDAs. Despite other research to the contrary, ABI believes the traditional (unconnected) PDA market will experience modest growth of 8% CAAG through 2008. The article includes a market forecast chart. Story
Other noteworthy news items and announcements from the past week . . .
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